but
1on the contrary; yet: My brother went, but I did not.
unless; if not; except that (followed by a clause, often with that expressed): Nothing would do but that I should come in.
without the circumstance that: It never rains but it pours.
otherwise than: There is no hope but by prayer.
that (used especially after doubt, deny, etc., with a negative): I don't doubt but he will do it.
who not; that not: No leaders worthy of the name ever existed but they were optimists.
(used as an intensifier to introduce an exclamatory expression): But she's beautiful!
Informal. than: It no sooner started raining but it stopped.
only; just: There is but one God.
buts, reservations or objections: You'll do as you're told, no buts about it.
Idioms about but
but for, except for; were it not for: But for the excessive humidity, it might have been a pleasant day.
but what. what (def. 25).
Origin of but
1synonym study For but
Grammar notes for but
2, 10. When but is understood as a conjunction and the pronoun following it is understood as the subject of an incompletely expressed clause, the pronoun is in the subjective case: Everyone lost faith in the plan but she ( did not lose faith ). In virtually identical contexts, when but is understood as a preposition, the pronoun following it is in the objective case: Everyone lost faith but her. The prepositional use is more common. However, when prepositional but and its following pronoun occur near the beginning of a sentence, the subjective case often appears: Everyone but she lost faith in the plan. See also doubt, than.
Words that may be confused with but
- but , butt
Other definitions for but (2 of 4)
the outer or front room of a house; the outer or front apartment in an apartment house.
the kitchen of a two-room dwelling, especially of a cottage.
Origin of but
2Other definitions for but (3 of 4)
a variant of butt5.
Other definitions for but- (4 of 4)
a combining form meaning “containing a group of four carbon atoms,” used in the formation of compound words: butene.
Origin of but-
4Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use but in a sentence
And more I cannot explain/but you, from what I did not say/will infer what I do not say.
Sor Juana: Mexico’s Most Erotic Poet and Its Most Dangerous Nun | Katie Baker | November 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd there is always the easy-but-true charge of Hollywood hypocrisy.
Sheets of bright-but-not-too-bright blue streaked with thin clouds.
Native American Basketball Team in Wyoming Have Hoop Dreams Of Their Own | Robert Silverman | August 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd in those conflicts, the Predator would be all-but-useless.
The Killer Drone Goes Stealthy—Just in Time for a New Cold War | Zach Rosenberg | April 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd we all remember good-but-overpraised songs like If I Had a Hammer and the treacly classic Where Have All the Flowers Gone?
When he first worked her she had the old bee-but boiler, 24 feet in diameter.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2) | Francis TrevithickTill now one with sudden hiss: "but-good Christ-just look-why, the roof's leaning—!"
The Lord of the Sea | M. P. ShielOur friend with his infinite variety and flexibility, we know-but can we put him in?
The Pocket R.L.S. | Robert Louis StevensonEligible single gentlemen pass and repass-but there is no invitation for to inquire within or without.
The Pickwick Papers | Charles DickensAnd again there came to Honoria that ache of longing for the but-half-disclosed glory and fulness of life.
The History of Sir Richard Calmady | Lucas Malet
British Dictionary definitions for but (1 of 2)
/ (bʌt, unstressed bət) /
contrary to expectation: he cut his knee but didn't cry
in contrast; on the contrary: I like opera but my husband doesn't
(usually used after a negative) other than: we can't do anything but wait
(usually used after a negative) without it happening or being the case that: we never go out but it rains
(foll by that) except that: nothing is impossible but that we live forever
archaic if not; unless
informal used to introduce an exclamation: my, but you're nice
except; save: they saved all but one of the pigs
but for were it not for: but for you, we couldn't have managed
just; merely; only: he was but a child; I can but try
Scot, Australian and NZ informal though; however: it's a rainy day: warm, but
all but almost; practically: he was all but dead when we found him
an objection (esp in the phrase ifs and buts)
Origin of but
1British Dictionary definitions for but (2 of 2)
/ (bʌt) Scot /
the outer room of a two-roomed cottage: usually the kitchen
in or into the outer part (of a house): Compare ben 1
Origin of but
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with but
In addition to the idioms beginning with but
- but for
- but good
also see:
- all but
- all over but the shouting
- anything but
- can't help but
- close but no cigar
- everything but the kitchen sink
- it never rains but it pours
- last but not least
- no ifs or buts
- nothing but
- sadder but wiser
- separate but equal
- slow but sure
- spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
- there but for the grace of god
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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